WP6 Technical Brief No. 1 – May 2018

Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs)

Deliverable No: 6.1 Technical brief on Village Knowledge CentresLead partner: NIBIOPrepared by: NIBIO & ILRIOther partners involved: KALRO, KENAFF, SFHC, SUA & KIAGObjective: To bring knowledge revolution among the rural community that would, in turn, pave way for enhanced knowledge and farmer connectivity, increased income and reduced risks

Village Knowledge Centre is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) digital platform-based system linking farmers through smart phones and social media as a conduit for faster and effective information and knowledge exchange to the rural communities. The VKC concept was developed and implemented in India by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in 1980. Since then, the Foundation has set up several VKCs in India (for example, the one below).

VKC brings knowledge revolution among the rural community that would in turn, pave way for better farmer connectivity, increased income and reduced risks. Experience from ClimaAdapt project (www.climaadapt.org) in India was used to establish two pilot VKCs in InnovAfrica project in Kenya and Tanzania.

What is Village Knowledge Center?

FIG 1. One of the Village Knowledge Center at Onangudi Village, Pudukottai District, Tamil Nadu, India

Why and where to establish Village Knowledge Center?

VKCs Empower

community with timely and right knowledge

Ensure connectivity and capacity building

Bridge the knowledge gaps

Improve gender balance in extension services

REFERENCESwww.innovafrica.eu; www.climaadapt.org; http://www.mssrf.org/

This project is funded from the European’s Union H2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 727201

How and when to establish Village Knowledge Center?

FIG 2. InnovAfrica team interacting with a Brachiaria farmer in Kenya (Photo: ILRI/KALRO/KENAFF)

FIG 3. Farmers in sorghum and soybean plot in Malawi (Photo: University of Malawi)

Phase II Year 3 Year 4Link VKCs MC with Strategic Partners for continuity XExchange visits from neighbouring villages and authorities XEnhance involvement of local extension services XFirst set-up and draft of the VKC Manual XConduct Open Days and exchange visits within in the village XAssess upscaling of VKCs based on the set criteria XHand over Phase II with technical support XFinal assessment of the VKCs approach and impacts XFinal validation and preparing the VKCs Manual X

Phase I Year 1

Year 2

Get the first-hand experience or training of the VKC establishment XSelect location, preferably a village or government building for VKCs

X

Organize meetings with local officials and stakeholders XIdentify 2-3 youths as Village Knowledge Workers (VKWs) from local area

X

Set up 5-6 members VKC Management Committee (MC) XEstablish the VKC and test the working of the unit XTrain the VKWs and recruit farmer members XOrganize awareness meeting and conduct 2-3 knowledge needs assessment

X

Establish base line indicators XDevelop & disseminate knowledge material, link farmers with mobile phones

X

Conduct Open Days and exchange visits within the village XConduct a mid-term assessment of VKCs performance X